A letter sent Friday by outgoing USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture Julio Antonio Berdeguê acknowledges the progress made in reopening cattle trade between the two countries following the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, but says more action is needed to resume trade.
Key developments:
- Technical collaboration between U.S. and Mexican teams
- Full technical agreement on protocol reached on Dec. 12, 2024
- Ongoing work to approve pre-export NWS inspection facilities.
Vilsack emphasizes the importance of expediting the approval process for these facilities to resume safe export as soon as possible, citing the significance of trade for a safe and affordable food supply.
The letter also addresses efforts to combat the spread of New World Screwworm:
- Emergency funding has been authorized to increase sterile fly production
- Production has increased fivefold in the past year
- Enhanced regional response through increased dispersal, surveillance, education, and partnerships
- Acknowledgment of Mexico’s partnership in sterile fly releases, movement controls, and surveillance
- Shared goal to push the pest south to the Darien Gap
Vilsack requests immediate support from Secretary Berdegué for the establishment of two planned sterile fly dispersal centers in Southern Mexico to strengthen current efforts.
The letter maintains a cordial and cooperative tone throughout, emphasizing:
- Shared commitments and goals
- Acknowledgment of Mexico’s efforts and partnership
- Expressions of gratitude for collaboration
- Requests for continued support and expedited action
Industry sources say specific testing will take place Monday, Jan. 20, and that and other tests will go a long way in establishing a trade resumption timeline.
NWS Trade Impacts Started in November
As previously reported, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) suspended imports of live cattle and bison from Mexico on Nov. 22, 2024, following the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) along Mexico’s southern border. This pest can have a significant negative impact on cattle health, and U.S. authorities have been working to develop protocols to screen animals coming into the country.
Several factors are influencing the timeline and pace of reopening:
- Facility inspections: Both countries have agreed on protocols, but implementation requires facility inspections and approvals.
- Quarantine period: A seven-day quarantine after animal checks
- Port readiness: The most important port to get moving again is Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
The temporary suspension of cattle imports from Mexico has had notable effects on the U.S. cattle market:
- Reduced supply: About 250,000-300,000 fewer head of cattle are estimated to have been imported due to the suspension.
- Price support: The trade disruption has been supporting feeder cattle and calf prices in the U.S.
